Does the District government provide free translation/interpretation services to the general public?
It is the right of LEP/NEP persons to receive interpretation/translation services in their preferred language of communication free of charge from covered entities. Covered entities should have both oral and written language services available, at minimum, in the languages of their LEP constituencies that meet the 3 percent or 500 individuals threshold designated by the Act. The District government does not provide free interpretation services or document translations to non-District governmental agencies or individuals who are not accessing the District government. Persons or entities seeking such services should contact a qualified translation/interpretation vendor or a community-based organization that provides these types of services. Additionally, the Language Access Program as a general practice does not provide free interpretation services or document translations for District agencies. It is incumbent upon District agencies to fund such services individually.
